A meet and greet with Derek Goode Jr.

Published: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 08:01 PM.

A 16-year-old competitive motocross racer from Kings Mountain chasing his dream of becoming a pro is holding an event to encourage young children to live their dreams.

A Meet and Greet with Derek Goode Jr. takes place from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Love’s Fish Box, 1104 Shelby Road, Kings Mountain. Goode Jr. will be signing autographs and door prizes will be given away throughout the day. Monster Energy will also be represented onsite.

Goode Jr. takes the words “dare to dream” to heart, said his dad Derek Goode.

“His dreams and ambitions set him apart from other young men his age,” Goode said.

Goode Jr.’s accomplishments include motocross wins last year at three events. He got into the sport nine years ago. He wanted to ride a motorcycle like the one his dad had, so his dad bought him a dirt bike small enough for him to handle.

He practices two to three hours a day, three to four days a week, on the race track behind his home, and travels throughout the southeast to compete. When he’s not on the track or studying, the Kings Mountain High School junior is trying to make a difference in his community, his dad said.

Last year he raised money to buy school supplies for more than 100 local kids. He’s invited kids out to his dirt track to watch him practice and plans to take a group of kids to a motocross race in May.

A 16-year-old competitive motocross racer from Kings Mountain chasing his dream of becoming a pro is holding an event to encourage young children to live their dreams.

A Meet and Greet with Derek Goode Jr. takes place from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Love’s Fish Box, 1104 Shelby Road, Kings Mountain. Goode Jr. will be signing autographs and door prizes will be given away throughout the day. Monster Energy will also be represented onsite.

Goode Jr. takes the words “dare to dream” to heart, said his dad Derek Goode.

“His dreams and ambitions set him apart from other young men his age,” Goode said.

Goode Jr.’s accomplishments include motocross wins last year at three events. He got into the sport nine years ago. He wanted to ride a motorcycle like the one his dad had, so his dad bought him a dirt bike small enough for him to handle.

He practices two to three hours a day, three to four days a week, on the race track behind his home, and travels throughout the southeast to compete. When he’s not on the track or studying, the Kings Mountain High School junior is trying to make a difference in his community, his dad said.

Last year he raised money to buy school supplies for more than 100 local kids. He’s invited kids out to his dirt track to watch him practice and plans to take a group of kids to a motocross race in May.

“He understands and can relate to their hopes and dreams,” Goode said. “His desire is to pave the way for them by motivating and encouraging them to chase after their own dreams.

“It’s all about making a difference in a kid’s life.”

He’s holding a “Dare to Dream – Bike to School Raffle” on July 7 at Cycle Gear, 3916 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. The grand prize will be a replica of Goode Jr.’s 2013 Kawasaki motocross bike. Other prizes will be raffled and winners must be 18 and older. Proceeds will be used by Kings Mountain Elite to create math and reading tutoring programs for local students. Raffle tickets are $10.

For more information, email gooderacing1@gmail.com or visit www.derekgoodejr.com.